2004 SAAB 9-3 engine

190 Starting and drivingFor long tripsBefore starting off on a long journey, it is
advisable to have your car inspected by
your Saab dealer.
Obtain a few important items to take along
on your journey, such as spare bulbs, wiper
blades, fuses, a drive belt (poly-V-belt) and
the like.
You can check some points yourself before-
hand:
 Check that no oil or fuel leaks out of the
engine or gearbox/transmission.
 Check the coolant and power steering
fluid levels. Check also for leaks.
 Inspect the drive belt (poly-V-belt) and
replace if it shows any signs of wear.
 Check the battery charge.
 Check the tires for tread pattern and air
pressure, including the compact spare
tire.
 Take an extra remote control and keep it
separate.
 Check the brakes.
 Check all bulbs.
 Check for the presence of the tool kit and
jack in the car.
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191 Car care
Hood ________________ 192
Engine ______________ 193
Engine bay ___________ 195
Engine oil ____________ 196
Air filter______________ 198
Transmission fluid ____ 198
Coolant ______________ 199
Brake/clutch fluid and
brake pads__________ 200
Power steering________ 201
Battery ______________ 202
Drive belt ____________ 205
Wipers and washers ___ 206
Wiper blades _________ 206
Changing bulbs _______ 208 Fuses ________________ 222
Automatic tire pressure
monitoring __________ 229
Tires _________________ 231
Compact spare tire _____ 243
Changing a tire ________ 245
Safety belts ___________ 248
Upholstery and trim ____ 249
Textile carpeting _______ 249
Engine bay ____________ 249
Washing ______________ 250
Waxing and polishing ___ 251
Touching up the paint___ 251
Anti-corrosion treatment 253
Recovery and/or
recycling of automotive
materials ____________ 255
Air conditioning (A/C) ___ 255
Car care
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193 Car care
EngineThe engine is a transverse four-cylinder in-
line engine with twin overhead camshafts
and 16 valves.
The engine is equipped with two balance-
shafts that reduce engine vibrations to a
minimum.
The balance shafts are chain-driven and
rotate at twice the speed of the crankshaft.
They produce forces and torques that are
opposed to those generated by the pistons
and connecting rods. The effect occurs
twice in each revolution of the engine, coun-
teracting the vibration from its moving parts,
and at the same time reducing unwanted
engine noise.
The gearbox, located on the right (viewed
from the front), is integrated with the engine.
Engine familiesSaab cars imported into the United States
and Canada meet all applicable emission
control standards. The engine family and
appropriate tune-up specifications are iden-
tified on a label affixed to the left front inner
fender.
These engine families meet applicable EPA
Federal Standards, California State Stan-
dards and Canadian Federal Standards and
are equipped with the following systems:
• sequential multiport fuel injection system
 three way catalytic converter
 crankcase emissions control system
 evaporative emission system.
Emission control
systemsThe systems for controlling emissions to the
atmosphere require regular checking and
adjustment at the intervals specified in the
service program.
In addition to meeting the exhaust emission
regulations and thereby helping to keep the
environment clean, a correctly tuned engine
will also give maximum fuel economy.
WARNING
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents,
and certain vehicle components contain
or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth
defects and reproductive harm. In addi-
tion, certain fluids contained in vehicles
and certain products of component wear
contain or emit chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
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194 Car careSaab Trionic engine management
systemThe Saab Trionic engine management
system is a unique Saab development that
combines sequential multiport fuel injection,
electronic distributorless ignition and turbo-
charger boost pressure control into one sys-
tem.
The Trionic engine control module (ECM)
monitors many different engine parameters
such as:
 Intake manifold pressure.
 Intake air temperature.
 Crankshaft position.
 Engine coolant temperature.
 Throttle position.
 The oxygen content of the exhaust gases.
The ECM receives information regarding
engine knocking from a sophisticated feed-
back function in the ignition discharge unit.
By processing all of this information, the Tri-
onic system can control fuel injector open-
ing duration, ignition timing and turbo-
charger boost pressure to provide excellent
engine performance while maintaining low
emissions and fuel consumption.
ORVR (Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery)All hydrocarbons formed when refueling will
be recovered by the car and not released
into the atmosphere. The hydrocarbons are
absorbed in an evaporative emission canis-
ter. When the engine is subsequently
started, the evaporative emission canister is
gradually purged as air is sucked into it
through a shut-off valve. The hydrocarbon/
air mixture passes through the evap canis-
ter purge valve and into the engine where it
is burned. “Refueling”, see page 147.
When refueling, make sure you screw the
filler cap on and keep turning until it has
clicked 3 times.
NOTICEThe Trionic engine management system
continuously monitors the operation of
these systems and has on-board diag-
nostic capabilities (OBD II). If the Engine
malfunction (CHECK ENGINE) light in
the main instrument illuminates, the
Trionic ECM has detected a problem. The
car will continue to operate, but perfor-
mance may be diminished. You should
have your car checked by a Saab dealer
as soon as possible.
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195 Car care
1 Oil filler cap
2 Coolant reservoir
3 Brake and clutch fluid reservoir
4Battery
5 Fuse box
6 Washer-fluid reservoir
7 Power-steering fluid reservoir
8 Engine-oil dipstick
Engine bay
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196 Car careEngine oilChecking the oil levelCheck the engine oil level regularly.
1 Park the car on a level ground.
2 Switch off the engine and wait for
2–5 minutes. The engine should be at
normal operating temperature.
3 Take the dipstick out and wipe it off with
a clean rag before carrying out the
check.
The level must not be below the MIN mark
on the dipstick, but nor should it be above
the MAX mark. Excess engine oil could
result in abnormal oil consumption.
The distance between the MIN and MAX
marks is equivalent to 1.0 qt (1.0 l).
Top up as necessary with oil of the recom-
mended grade (see page 270).
Make sure you screw on the oil filler cap
properly after topping up the oil to avoid run-
ning problems.Recommended oil grade, see page 270.
Make sure you screw on the oil filler cap
properly after topping up the oil to avoid run-
ning problems.
It is normal for an engine to consume a cer-
tain amount of oil. It is therefore often nec-
essary to top up the oil between services.
Check the engine oil level regularly.During the Break-in Period (approx.
3,000 miles or 5,000 km) and when driving
at high speeds or with a trailer, the oil
consumption may be higher than normal.NOTICEToo high oil level can damage the engine.
NOTICEChange of engine oil and oil filter may be
required more frequently if the car is
being used under certain conditions, see
page 263.
Oil filler cap and dipstick
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197 Car care
Changing engine oil
Engine oil and oil filter should be changed
according to the service program.
For oil volumes and grades, refer to “Tech-
nical data”.
The oil should be drained when the engine
is warm. The car must stand on level
ground.
1 Unscrew the drain plug in the bottom of
the sump and leave the oil to drain into a
suitable receptacle for at least
10 minutes. Take care, as the oil may be
hot.
2 Refit the drain plug with a new washer.
3 Change the oil filter once the engine oil
has drained (see page 198).
4 Fill with new oil.
Run the engine to normal temperature and
check the oil level.
WARNING
 Prolonged and repeated exposure of
the skin to engine oil can cause seri-
ous skin disorders. Avoid prolonged
skin contact whenever possible.
 Used engine oil contains chemicals
that have caused cancer in laboratory
animals. Always protect your skin by
washing thoroughly with soap and
water.
 Keep oil out of reach of children.
 Do not touch the turbocharger or
exhaust manifold. These get very hot
when the engine has been running.
 Do not spill oil on hot parts of the
engine as this could cause a fire. Used
engine oil is particularly flammable.
 Protect the environment. Do not
dispose of oil into the ground or down
a drain. Dispose of all used oil and
oil filters at an appropriate disposal
facility.
Drain plug
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198 Car careChanging filter
1 Unscrew the oil filter cap.
 Lift the cap slightly and carefully pry
apart the cap and the filter housing.
 Remove the filter cap.
2 Remove the filter. Have paper towelling
or a rag at hand to catch the oil that
escapes from the filter.
3 Fit a new filter.
4 Fit a new O-ring in the cap. Apply a small
amount of new engine oil to the O-ring.
5 Screw on the cap. The correct tightening
torque is 25 Nm (18 lbf. ft).
Air filter
Transmission fluidManual transmissionCheck and top up the oil in accordance with
the service program.Automatic transmissionCheck and top up the oil in accordance with
the service program.
WARNING
To ensure reliable operation, only use
an air filter recommended by Saab
Automobile AB.
Oil filter
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